Best Disney Resort Pools at Walt Disney World

Choosing the right Walt Disney World Resort can make a big difference in your family vacation, and one thing we always like to consider is the pool! Especially if you are visiting during the warmer months, planning a resort day, or taking a midday break from the parks, the resort pool can become a big part of your stay.

Some Disney World resort pools are simple and relaxing, while others feel almost like a mini water park right at your resort. If your family loves pool time, water slides, splash areas, and fun theming, it is worth thinking about the pool before you book your resort.

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One thing to keep in mind is that Disney Resort pools are only for guests staying at that resort. So if there is a specific pool your family really wants to enjoy, you’ll want to book that resort rather than planning to visit from another Disney hotel.

Here are some of our favorite pools at Walt Disney World Resorts for families!

Why the Pool Matters When Choosing a Disney World Resort

When you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation, it is easy to focus only on the theme parks. But the resort can be such a big part of the overall experience, especially for families.

During the hotter months, we love having the option to head back to the resort in the afternoon, swim for a bit, rest, and then go back to the parks later in the day. A great pool area can also make a resort day feel special without needing to buy an extra park ticket.

If your kids are the type who ask to swim every day on vacation, choosing a resort with a fun pool can make your trip feel even more magical. Some of the best Disney World pools have waterslides, splash play areas, zero-entry sections, nearby dining, and immersive theming that makes the pool feel like part of the resort story.

Best Pools at Walt Disney World Resorts

Here are some of the best pools at Disney Resorts! These are the ones that we return to time and time again!

Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort – Stormalong Bay

If you are looking for one of the best pools at Walt Disney World, Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is hard to beat!

This pool area is one of the main reasons families love staying at Beach Club and Yacht Club, especially during summer trips. It feels much more like a small water park than a standard resort pool, with a large pool complex, sandy-bottom areas, a lazy river-style section, whirlpool spas, and a large waterslide. Stormalong Bay is a full 3-acre water recreation area.

One of the best parts of this pool area is that there are different spaces for different ages and swimming styles. Younger kids can enjoy the sandy beach-style entrance and smaller play areas, while older kids will probably love the waterslide and more active pool sections. Do note that you have to walk outside of the pool area and across the walkway to get to the stairs for the pirate ship slide.

We also love the location of these resorts. Beach Club and Yacht Club are in the EPCOT Resort Area, which means you are close to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the BoardWalk, and several dining options.

Beach Club and Yacht Club are great choices if your family wants a deluxe resort with an amazing pool and a convenient location.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – Lava Pool & Cove Pool

Polynesian Village Resort is another favorite, especially if you love tropical theming and want to stay close to Magic Kingdom.

The Lava Pool is the main feature pool at the Polynesian, and the whole area has a relaxed, island vacation feel. This is a great option for families who want a pool that feels fun and immersive, but still easy to enjoy during a resort day or afternoon break.

One of the biggest perks of staying at the Polynesian is the overall resort atmosphere. You get the tropical landscaping, great dining options, monorail access, and a beautiful Magic Kingdom-area location.

This pool is especially nice if your family likes the idea of mixing pool time with resort dining. You can swim, grab something nearby, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere without feeling like you need to rush back to the parks.

Polynesian Village Resort is a great fit for families who want a tropical-feeling resort with a fun pool and easy access to Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – Fuentes del Morro Pool

Caribbean Beach Resort has one of the best pools in the moderate resort category, and it is a great choice for families who want fun theming without booking a deluxe resort.

The main feature pool, Fuentes del Morro Pool, is themed like a colonial Spanish fortress with a pirate-style feel. It has a zero-entry area, two waterslides, and a shipwreck play area for smaller kids.

This pool is a great option if you have kids who love pirates, slides, splash areas, and more playful theming. There are also leisure pools throughout the resort villages, which is nice if your family wants a quieter swim closer to your room.

Caribbean Beach is also on the Disney Skyliner route, which can be a big perk if you plan to spend time at EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For families who want a moderate resort with a fun pool and convenient transportation, Caribbean Beach is a strong choice.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – The Big Blue Pool

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a favorite for families with younger kids, especially if your children love Disney and Pixar characters. The Big Blue Pool is the main feature pool here, and it is the largest hotel pool at Walt Disney World Resort.

This pool is themed around Finding Nemo, with bright colors, large character figures, and a fun, playful atmosphere. It is a zero-entry pool, which is helpful for little ones, and there is also the Schoolyard Sprayground nearby for water play.

Art of Animation is a value resort, so it can be a great choice if you want fun Disney theming and family-friendly pool areas without moving into a deluxe price range. The family suites are also a big draw for larger families or families who want a little more space.

This is not the quietest pool option, but that is part of the fun. If your kids love bold Disney theming and a lively pool environment, Art of Animation is a great pick.

Disney’s Riviera Resort – Riviera Pool

Disney’s Riviera Resort is a beautiful option if you want a more relaxed deluxe villa resort feel. It has a smaller pool because it is a smaller resort. However the slide and splash pad are both fun, making this a family-friendly pool area.

The Riviera Pool has a Mediterranean-inspired setting, a pool slide, and a nearby interactive water play area called S’il Vous Play, which is inspired by European public fountains and features Fantasia characters. It’s easy to manage kids of multiple age ranges here.

This resort feels a little more calm and refined than some of the more heavily themed Disney resorts, but it still works well for families. It is also on the Disney Skyliner, which makes it convenient for EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Riviera is a great choice if your family wants a pretty resort, convenient transportation, a nice pool, and a slightly more relaxed atmosphere.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is another resort worth mentioning if pool time is part of your vacation plan. The Dig Site pool area has a fun theme, a large pool, and a waterslide, making it a nice option for families who want a moderate resort with a more grown-up feel.

There isn’t a ton of shade around the pool area, so make sure to bring your sunscreen!

Coronado Springs can be a great fit if you want a resort that feels a little more polished while still offering a fun pool area for kids. It is a convention resort that is large and spread out though, so for that reason we don’t return here often.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is one of our favorite resorts for atmosphere, and the pool area fits beautifully with the Pacific Northwest-inspired theme. This is a great resort if your family wants a relaxing escape from the parks while still being close to Magic Kingdom.

The pool may not feel as large or water-park-like as Stormalong Bay, but the theming and overall resort atmosphere make Wilderness Lodge a wonderful choice for a relaxing time. It’s our favorite to stay here during the holidays and winter though, making the pool not as high of a priority when we prefer to swing back here.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is another wonderful option for families who want a resort that feels like a destination on its own. Between the animals, the beautiful resort grounds, dining, and pool areas, this is a resort where you can easily enjoy a slower resort day. The pool is large and fun for families, it’s also close to the quick service which is a nice bonus!

If your family loves animals and immersive theming, Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth considering. As you can see there is limited shade around the pool area though, so make sure to pack the sunscreen!